WebNovels

Chapter 34 - Straw Hat in Hand

"What else is there to do?"

Tied to the stone pillar, Luffy shouted in frustration. "Of course we fight! What good is hiding in the mountains, uncle? Everyone should band together, beat up those rotten nobles, and blast them all into the sky!"

Sabo's fate was still fresh in his heart—how could he forget?

"…." Scarface glanced at Luffy, sighed, and said nothing.

"Quit yelling."

Shanu frowned and tapped Luffy's cheek with his sword's sheath. "Grown-ups are talking. Kids don't butt in."

This brat—he was even dumber than in the days of the Five Emperors.

The kingdom's army was well-equipped and backed by the World Government. Ordinary folk couldn't hope to fight that.

Even if every bandit in the Colbo Mountains joined forces, it would still be eggs against a rock.

In a world where true power lay in the hands of individuals, uprisings from below were laughably fragile.

What use were hundreds of thousands, even millions of people?

Could they resist Conqueror's Haki?

Could they survive magma raining from the sky?

A spark might set a prairie ablaze, but on these seas, sparks were crushed underfoot. Only a handful of powerful individuals could claw their way to the top and bring change from above.

That was why he'd never been drawn to the Revolutionary Army.

Not that he despised them—it was more a disagreement in method.

Crossing the river by feeling the stones wasn't shameful. To hold onto their ideals and struggle for so many years was worthy of respect.

In this rotten world, such people were rare indeed.

"How many of you are left?" Shanu turned to Scarface.

"Counting me? Thirteen."

Scarface's face dimmed. "That night, I dragged more than twenty people out of the flames. But the elderly, the sick, the children… in the harsh mountains, they didn't survive."

The so-called "bandits" lowered their heads, grief heavy in their eyes.

"You've done more than enough," Shanu said, shaking his head.

The man couldn't be much over twenty.

In the face of disaster, he hadn't fled alone but had risked everything to save others. Then, in the mountains, to shield these refugees, he'd taken on the dangerous mantle of a wanted bandit. A man of guts.

Shanu looked around.

If the survivors stayed here, it would only end one way: death from hardship—or abandoning morality to become real bandits.

He could walk away. But seeing them here, he couldn't help but feel a pang.

He thought of the 400 million berries sitting in the bank.

He'd intended to leave it there, drawing interest until he set sail, to one day build a ship.

Now, though, a new plan formed in his mind.

"Honestly, if I were still dirt-poor, I wouldn't bother with you lot. I wouldn't have the means. But… I guess I'm a 'rich man' now, so maybe I can lend a hand."

"Rich man?"

Luffy's eyes lit up. "So you've got money, uncle? You gonna share it with them? How about with me too? I'm broke!!"

He still hadn't paid for all those meals he, Ace, and Sabo had eaten on credit in town.

"Uncle, my ass!" Shanu snapped, smacking him across the head. "I'm barely older than you! If you wanna suck up, call me big brother!"

"Ow…" Luffy rubbed the red handprint on his cheek.

"Pay your own debts!"

Shanu glared at him, then turned back to the ragged survivors, thoughtful.

He wasn't about to just throw money at them like Luffy said.

They had no bond, no trust. Giving cash out of pity would feel strange.

Better to teach them to stand on their own.

"I've got an orange grove. Planning to expand it, but I don't have enough hands. Why don't you come with me, leave Goa Kingdom behind, and settle there? What do you say?"

He kept it vague.

In truth, he planned to invest tens of millions from his savings while keeping the rest for his voyage.

Not only would he grow the grove, but he'd also set up small workshops to process the fruit—canning, jamming, candying.

The oranges from Cocoyashi Village were superb, better than any citrus he'd tasted in his past life. But as raw produce, they sold dirt cheap.

No wonder Bellemere, despite working year-round, could barely afford new clothes for Nami.

But with proper processing, the added value would soar.

Scarface could manage the workshops. Bellemere could focus on her beloved grove, or rest if she wished.

They might not make a fortune, but they could support themselves—and these starving people would no longer have to scrape by.

"R-Really?!"

Scarface froze, then clasped Shanu's hands, trembling. "Sir, you'd really take us in, even give us work?"

"Yeah. Pack your things. You're coming with me. Don't worry about tickets—I'll cover them."

"Wonderful!"

"We're saved—we're finally saved!"

"Thank you, sir! Thank you!"

Disbelief gave way to tears. Some cried, some knelt, some hugged each other in relief.

Winter had come. They had lived in fear, hungry, cold, and hopeless. Now, light finally shone through.

"Thank you, thank you…"

Scarface's voice cracked. "You've saved all thirteen of us. I don't have the words. From now on, sir, my life is yours! Whatever you ask, I'll do it!"

"Us too!" the others cried.

"Sniff… sniff…" Luffy sobbed loudly at the side. "But uncle, untie me first! I can't wipe my tears!"

Shanu rolled his eyes, drew his katana, and with two swift slashes, cut the ropes.

"Wow! That swordplay is amazing!"

Luffy flexed his arms in awe—then yelped as blood spurted from shallow cuts on both arms. "Wahhh! You cut me too! I'm bleeding!!"

"…."

Shanu coughed, sheathing his blade quickly. He turned to Scarface.

"Name's Shanu. What about you? What should I call you?"

"…Just call me Scarface."

The man shook his head earnestly. "Truth is, I was raised as a servant in a noble household. The name the butler gave me—I hated it. But this 'Scarface' name, I've used it for months now. I'm used to it. From now on, I'll live under that name."

"Fine then, Scarface! Gather your people. We're leaving now!"

Shanu laughed heartily.

As the camp bustled, he turned to Luffy. One last matter to settle before leaving.

"That really hurt, Shanu-uncle!" Luffy whined, pointing at his bandaged arms. "When you cut the ropes, can't you aim better? Makes me not even wanna thank you!"

Of course, it was just lip service.

He liked this guy—someone who swooped in and saved all these starving people. And now, he was free.

No more worrying about hunting ten times the stolen meat.

"Sorry. My swordsmanship still needs work."

Shanu smiled faintly. "So, as compensation, I'll show you a little magic trick."

"Magic?!"

Luffy lit up instantly, crouching monkey-style on the table. "Do it! Do it!"

And then—

Right before his wide, expectant eyes, Shanu's hand darted up and plucked the straw hat clean off his head.

More Chapters